Imaret

It was built in the second half of the 15th century by Faik Pasha. The mosque was built with materials taken from the old Byzantine church of Panagia Parigoritissa, from ancient Nicopolis and also from various ancient buildings of Amvrakia.

Faik Pasha, wishing to have his name immortalized, decided to build the Imaret (house for the poor) where a big number of poor people found shelter and food. The area was named “Marati” from the Imaret.

The mosque was the site of battles during the War of Independence in 1821.

According to Ioannis Makriyannis, on November 14, 1821, Marcos Botsaris took cover with 300 men in the mosque. Many chieftains joined him, among whom, Georgios Karaiskakis.

On the 15th, the Turks began a ceaseless cannonade and caused significant losses. Botsaris and Karaiskakis barricaded in the mosque until Notis Botsaris arrived with 300 men and together they pushed the Turks towards Arta.

After the liberation of Arta, the mosque was converted into a church dedicated to St. John the Russian.

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